Faculty and Staff Directory

Victor Acevedo joined the faculty of the School of Music in 2012 as Adjunct Instructor of Music. A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Acevedo received his bachelor degree in Music Education (Cum Laude) from the Inter American University of P.R. He earned his M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Clarinet Performance, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Iowa. Prior to coming to UNI, he was a lecturer in the Departments of Music and Education at Cornell College.

Alison Altstatt holds an M.A. in History from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Musicology with a second field in Historical Performance Practice from the University of Oregon. Her dissertation, “The Music and Liturgy of Kloster Preetz: Anna von Buchwald’s Buch im Chor in Its Fifteenth-century Context,” was awarded the American Musicological Society’s Alvin H. Johnson AMS-50 fellowship in 2010. At the University of Oregon and Western Oregon University, she taught courses in music history and in early music performance.

Matthew Andreini currently serves as a percussion instructor at the University of Northern Iowa where his teaching responsibilities include Applied Percussion and Percussion Ensembles. Andreini also maintains an active performance career, performing regularly with a wide variety of ensembles throughout Iowa. In addition to his regular performing schedule, he has been a featured soloist with numerous ensembles and has performed multiple international tours throughout Europe, Central, and South America. As a chamber musician, Matthew has recently shared the stage with grou

Dr. Korey Barrett is Associate Professor and Vocal Coach at the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Barrett is a talented and diversely experienced musician and music educator whose background includes training as a vocal coach, accompanist, pedagogue, and singer. Most recently, Barrett co-founded OperaNEO, an intensive summer opera festival for aspiring operatic talent in San Diego, CA. The festival has featured collaboration with the Bach Collegium San Diego as well as with numerous directors, conductors, coaches, and voice instructors from across the country and overseas.

Tom Barry supervises the audio recording and sound reinforcement for all recitals and concerts at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. Before he retired from the full time faculty at UNI, he taught applied oboe and saxophone as well as classes in music technology and audio recording, guitar, and was the director of Jazz Band II at UNI from 1989 to 1991.

James Newman Bennett received his B.M. in cello performance from Vanderbilt University and his M.M. in music theory from Louisiana State University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in music theory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying with Brian Hyer and Leslie Blasius. He has taught at LSU and UW-Madison, most recently a graduate seminar on Béla Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin.

Elisabeth Bieber, mezzo-soprano, has been seen on opera stages and in concert halls throughout the Midwest and has performed roles regularly with Opera Omaha, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Old Capitol Opera, Orchestra Iowa and Omaha Symphony. Her training includes a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Music and English from Luther College and a Master of the Arts Degree from the University of Iowa, as well as apprenticeships with Utah Symphony and Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Bel Canto at Caramoor and two seasons at Des Moines Metro Opera.

A lifelong musician with a career in arts administration, Caroline earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Business/Management from Berklee College of Music, where she studied vocal technique, arts management and songwriting. While at Berklee, Caroline founded the non-profit organization Memory Music, hosting performances and fundraising events benefiting AmFAR, RAINN, Save the Music, Make-A-Wish Foundation and more.

Pianist Sean Botkin began studying the piano at age five with his mother, making his first orchestral appearance four years later with the Honolulu Symphony. He went on to study privately with Neal O’Doan at the University of Washington and, under his direction, performed with the Seattle Symphony, Spokane Symphony, and Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra.

Melinda Boyd holds PhD and MA degrees in Musicology from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada), and a Bachelor’s degree in Music History from the University of Manitoba. As visiting faculty at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Boyd taught a wide range of courses for graduate and undergraduate students, including historical survey classes, research and writing, topics classes (program music, the music of Robert and Clara Schumann, Wagner), genre classes (opera history, German Romantic Opera), and music in culture topics (popular music, music and politics). Her research focuses on women composers and performers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, issues of gender and feminist theory, cultural studies, aesthetics, and popular music.

An advocate for new music, Ann Bradfield commissions and premieres new works for saxophone. Most recently, in 2013 she commissioned and premiered The Mystics for soprano saxophone and trumpet by Franklin Piland, andin 2011 she premiered and recorded Wink for alto saxophone and marimba, with and by renowned percussionist Mark Ford.

Jeffrey Brich, tenor, has distinguished himself in a broad spectrum of literature, performing with versatility and ease in orchestral, opera and recital venues. His strong creative service to the University of Northern Iowa School of Music is marked by memorable performances with the UNI Lyric Theater, the Faculty Chamber Music Series, Iowa Composer’s Forum, and the Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival.

Gretchen Brumwell is the adjunct instructor of harp at the University of Northern Iowa. She serves as principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa and is an active performer throughout eastern Iowa. As a soloist, she has appeared with Orchestra Iowa, the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, the Ottumwa Symphony, the Oskaloosa Symphony, the Iowa City Community String Orchestra, and the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra.

Professor of Viola and Music Theory, Associate Director of Graduate Studies

Julia Bullard teaches viola, string pedagogy, and string methods and techniques at the University of Northern Iowa. Bullard is the Associate Director for Graduate Studies in the School of music. From 2003-2010, Bullard also served as Director of the UNI Suzuki School. She is an active solo, chamber and orchestral performer both in the US and abroad.Her many solo and chamber engagements include performances in France, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, New York and Iowa.

Professor of Conducting and Music Theory, Music Director and Conductor, Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra

Professor Rebecca Burkhardt joined the University of Northern Iowa faculty as Director of Orchestral Activities in 1988. Besides her duties as Music Director of the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra she is Music Director for the UNI Opera Theatre.

Theresa Chardos Camilli is the Coordinator of UNI’s Group Piano and Graduate Piano Pedagogy. Prior to studying as a doctoral student at the University of Oklahoma, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from Loyola University in New Orleans. She completed her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at the University of Iowa and has worked as a board-certified Music Therapist. Theresa previously held a faculty position at the University of South Carolina teaching Applied Piano and Piano Pedagogy courses.

Steve Carignan, Associate Dean and Instructor in Arts Administration is celebrating his Fourteenth year as Executive Director at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, is responsible for overseeing all operations at the Center.

Cellist Jonathan Chenoweth received his training at the Oberlin Conservatory and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has performed as a member of several professional ensembles including the Dakota Quartet, the Soviet Emigré Chamber Orchestra , the Richmond (VA) Symphony, and the contemporary music group Bis. He has been a soloist at festivals in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont and has taught at universities in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and South Dakota.

Cathy Craig has been involved in the administration of the UNI Suzuki School since 1987. She currently is the Suzuki Coordinator. She has an education degree from the University of Northern Iowa and has completed several administrative training modules for her responsibilities with the program. Cathy has two children, Saylar (and daughter-in-law Tracy, and grandchildren Kalia and Harrison) and Mia (and son-in-law Scott, and granddaughter Anya). Children and children in-law are all musicians and teachers.

Kevin Droe teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Music Education and is coordinator of the graduate music education program. Prior to graduate school at the Florida State University, Dr. Droe taught middle school band in Greeley, Colorado and was adjunct faculty at AIMS Community College where he conducted the concert band, taught jazz improvisation and applied woodwinds.

David Dunn’s background includes degrees in Voice Performance, String Bass Performance, post-graduate studies in performance and Jazz Pedagogy, and sixteen years of teaching music at the college level, in addition to his work as a piano technician. He founded A is A Piano Service in 2008, and was a Fellowship Piano Technician for the Tanglewood Music Festival in the summer of 2009.

Robert Dunn is an adjunct professor of classical and jazz guitar at the UNI School of Music. He is also a member of the UNI Suzuki School, teaching guitar. In addition, he teaches classical guitar, jazz guitar, and jazz bass at Grinnell College. Dunn received both BA and MM from UNI and has been affiliated with the school as student or teacher since 1979. He also earned a BS from Iowa State in 1976.

Angeleita Floyd, dynamic musician, highly respected conductor and educator, has served as Professor of Flute at the University of Northern Iowa since 1986. With her unique flair for insightful teaching and sensitive musical interpretation, Dr. Floyd has mentored numerous prize-winning students on the regional and national level. She regularly serves as master teacher and conductor at flute festivals and residencies throughout the United States, South and Central America, Sweden and Europe.

On his first solo tour of Japan in 1985, 'Pipers' Magazine hailed Jeffrey Funderburk as the next international tuba virtuoso and his subsequent career has fulfilled much of this prediction. As a performer, recording artist and teacher, Funderburk established a career and performance style that has been described as eclectic.

Associate Professor of Music, Director of Marching Band and Symphonic Band

Dr. Daniel Galyen is the Director of Marching and Symphonic Bands at UNI, a position he has held since 2007. He directs the Panther Marching Band, conducts the Symphonic Band, and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting and music education. Under his direction the Panther Marching Band has grown from 156 to 330 members. The UNI Symphonic Band has performed with a number of guest artists and has won the acclaim of composers Samuel Adler and Dan Welcher.

UNI Professor of Trumpet since 1986, Randy Grabowski is a dedicated educator and accomplished performer. As an active soloist and clinician, he has presented concerts throughout the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe. He has served as Principal Trumpet of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestras, the Reno Philharmonic, and the show orchestras of the Reno Hilton and MGM-Grand.

Susie Grover joined the School of Music staff in 2007 as Secretary in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Born and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Susie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UNI in Anthropology and Women's Studies in 1999. After earning her degree, Susie traveled to Texas, North Carolina, Florida and other locations throughout the United States on archeological digs and in pursuit of professional development. A lifelong music lover, Susie has also independently studied piano and percussion.

Robin Guy, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, began studying the piano at age five with her mother. She went on to study privately with Marilyn Matousek Montie at the Cleveland Institute of Music and George Cherry at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory where she earned the B.M.E. She earned the M.M. at Baylor University, studying with Jane Abbott-Kirk and the D.M.A. at the University of Arizona where she studied with composer-pianist Richard Faith.

John Hines, bass vocalist, has been heard from the concert and opera stages of Italy, Austria, Russia, and the United States. In March 2013, Hines celebrated his Carnegie Hall debut as bass soloist in Haydn’s “Lord Nelson” Mass. Since 2007, his many performances in the Russian Federation – most notably those of Russian vocal music – have earned him the title “The American Chaliapin” by Russian critics and audiences, and a seat on the international panel of jurors for the Boris T. Shtokolov International Vocal Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia since 2008. Hines has also appeared in performance with artists from the Mariinsky, Bolshoi, and Kiev Theaters, and has had many of his performances broadcast over Russian Federal Television and Radio.

As the faculty percussionist in the UNI School of Music since 1972, Randy Hogancamp maintains a full studio of University students in applied percussion, teaches percussion methods, percussion pedagogy, and percussion literature, and directs the UNI Percussion/Marimba, West African (UNI-WADE), and TAIKO Drum Ensembles.

Morgan Horning, soprano, holds a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Music from Luther College, a Master of Music Degree and Artist Diploma from the University of Northern Iowa, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Shenandoah University Conservatory.

American saxophonist Jeffery Kyle Hutchins is a soloist, chamber musician, improviser, and performance artist focusing on the promotion and creation of contemporary music and interdisciplinary medias. He has premiered over 50 new works for the saxophone, many of which were written specifically for him. Described as an "outstanding saxophonist" (Eugene Rousseau) and "a performer of real energy and brilliance" (James Dillon), Hutchins has performed recitals and presented masterclasses in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Ronald Johnson is conductor of the Wind Symphony and the Chamber Wind Players at the University of Northern Iowa, and holds the academic rank of Professor of Music. He received his formal education from Texas Tech University; California State University, Northridge, and the University of Illinois. His conducting teachers include David Whitwell, Harry Begian, and Mircea Cristescu (Romania).

A native of Belarus, Polina Khatsko has established herself both as an active performer and a dedicated teacher. Some of her accomplishments include the performance and recording of complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven with Anthony Elliott, as well as being a key participant in the acclaimed "Complete Solo Piano Works by Chopin" project organized by the studio of Arthur Greene.

Amy Kotsonis is Assistant Professor of Choral Ensembles and Music Education, conducts the UNI Singers and Women's Chorus and teaches choral conducting and choral methods. Prior to graduate school at Florida State University, she served as Assistant Conductor, Director of Workshops, and Satellite School Teacher for the Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC).

Katie Ledtje joined the School of Music staff in 2014 as Secretary in the Russell Hall office. An Iowa native, Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2008. She currently resides in Janesville with her husband, daughter and step-daughter.

Cindi Mason has been the director of UNI Community Music School for 7 1/2 years and has taught for 25 years. Her degrees include a B.S. & M.A. in Speech Pathology from the University of Iowa and a B.A. & M.A. in music from the University of Northern Iowa. Her main instrument is the clarinet.

Amanda McCandless joined the faculty of the University of Northern Iowa as Assistant Professor of Clarinet in 2008 and since that time has built one of the largest and most successful clarinet studios in the region.

Jean McDonald is an associate professor of the voice division at the University of Northern Iowa. She is an active contributor to creative life at UNI, appearing as a featured soloist in Faculty Showcase and Spotlight Series events, performing a broad variety of literature with an emphasis on chamber works, including several premieres. Recent performances have included, Ravel’s Sheherazade with the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Britten’s Abraham and Isaac for the Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival, and Il Tramonto by Resphigi with the UNI Faculty String Quartet.

Chris Merz, Associate Professor of Music, has served as Director of Jazz Studies and Director of the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One at the University of Northern Iowa since 2002. Under his direction, the band has recorded eight CDs featuring many original compositions and arrangements by student and faculty writers.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Dyan S. Meyer is Instructor of Music Theory at UNI.

Meyer holds a B.A. in music education and music performance from Graceland University and a Master’s degree in music performance with a choral conducting emphasis from the Florida State University. She returns to the University of Northern Iowa after having taught here from 1999-2003.

From 2003-2007, Meyer established a home piano studio. She currently accompanies numerous students at the Iowa High School State Solo/Ensemble Festivals.

Mariko Morita is an Adjunct Instructor of Music at UNI, where she teaches Music Appreciation and serves as a collaborative pianist. She began organ studies at the age of five and grew up performing on the stage. Earning BM and MM degrees in Organ Performance from Seton Hill and Emory Universities, she was honored to be the first Japanese to receive a Doctor of Music degree in Organ Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Dr. Jesse Orth is honored to return to his Midwestern roots with his recent appointment as instructor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches applied tuba and euphonium lessons, directs the UNITUBA ensemble, and coaches chamber music ensembles. He recently moved from Texas, where he earned both his masters and doctorate in Tuba performance at the University of North Texas.

Instructor of Applied Voice, Katherine Osborne, has performed operatic roles and concert works from the Baroque era to the 21st century, including performances of lesser-known operas by Haydn, Donizetti, Pauline Viardot-Garcia, and Ronald Perrera. She was honored to receive the 2014 Van Lawrence Fellowship, presented by the Voice Foundation and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, which provides both financial and scientific support for interdisciplinary singing voice research. Her training includes a DMA and Singing Health Specialization from The Ohio State University (to be completed in the summer of 2015) and a Master of Voice Pedagogy degree from Westminster Choir College.

Alex Pershounin has performed extensively throughout Europe and United States in both classical and jazz settings and has been featured as a performer and composer on such internationally recognized music events as Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Europe’s Jazz Contest in Belgium, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, among many others. His performing credits include collaboration projects and appearances with world-class artists ranging from Bob Berg, Mulgrew Miller, Conrad Herwig, and Benny Golson to Itzhac Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Ray Charles, to name just a few.

Heather Peyton received a Doctorate in Musical Arts Degree from Michigan State University, where she held the title of University Distinguished Fellow. She received a Master’s Degree in solo performance and Artist Diploma from McGill University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University. She has held teaching positions at institutions including Iowa State University and the Interlochen Summer Arts Program. Dr.

Evie Charles Pugh, better known as 'Chuck' to most UNI music majors, is a native of Alabama. Born and raised in the small country town of Grove Hill, he has always had a love for music and entertainment. Chuck started working for UNI in the fall of 1988, not however, in the music tech field, but in the building service department. Since that time, Chuck received his Bachelor of Arts in 1997 and Masters of Arts in 2000 from UNI.

Mitra Sadeghpour, opera director and soprano, joined the UNI School of Music in 2014 after 12 years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she was honored as a Max Schoenfeld Distinguished Professor which recognizes an outstanding commitment to the university, achievement in scholarship and a commitment to student learning and life. At UNI, Sadeghpour directs the opera program, which includes productions, Opera Production I and II, and Advanced Vocal Performance. She also teaches applied voice, Soundscapes: American Musical Theatre, and collaborates with th

Professor of Theory-Composition, Associate Director of the School of Music:Undergraduate Studies Coordinator

Alan Schmitz (born 1950, USA) is Professor of Theory and Composition and Associate Director of the School of Music (Undergraduate Programs) at the University of Northern Iowa. He received bachelor and master of music degrees from the University of New Mexico and the Ph.D. in music theory and composition from Rutgers University.

Jonathan Clarke Schwabe (Doctor of Musical Arts- University of South Carolina) is Professor of Theory and Composition, and chairs the composition and theory area at the University of Northern Iowa. His works have been premiered at the Spoleto Festival, the Eastman School of Music, the Society of Composer's Midwest Festival, the Conductor's Institute, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Festival. His orchestral work As I Remember was performed at the Kennedy Center in the summer of 1999 and has received numerous subsequent performances in the United States and Europe

Mr. Shepherd received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Ohio University and has completed additional work at Wooster College and Ohio State University. He has served as band director for McConnelsville, Sandy Valley, Wellington and Wooster, Ohio High Schools, and as brass instructor at Wooster College, Bluffton College, Heidelburg College and Bowling Green State University. During his public school teaching career Mr. Shepherd produced outstanding concert bands with many superior (1) ratings in the Ohio Music Educators competitions.

Dr. Yu-Ting (Tina) Su was appointed Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Northern Iowa in 2006. From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Su was a member of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, and has toured with the group to Spain and Austria. As an active performer, Dr. Su has performed under the batons of Kurt Mazur, Otto-Werner Mueller, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman, Yuri Temirkanov, and Jahja Ling and among others. Dr. Su was featured on the nationally televised PBS special "Backstage of Lincoln Center" as principal horn of The Juilliard Orchestra.

Michelle Swanson is an instructor of Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. Swanson teaches Elementary General Music Methods, Music for Childhood Education, Soundscapes, and also supervises student teachers in elementary general music. She is the faculty advisor for Sigma Alpha Iota. Swanson has taught at UNI for 13 years.

Diane Vallentine is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Music at the University of Northern Iowa, teaching courses in music theory, liberal arts core and occasionally private saxophone. She holds a Master of Music degree in Theory with an emphasis in composition from the University of Kentucky and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Southeast Missouri State University where she earned undergraduate degrees in Music Theory/Composition and Music Education.

Dr. John F. Vallentine was appointed Director of the School of Music on January 1, 1999. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Vallentine earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree, with dual certification in instrumental and vocal music (majoring in clarinet and piano) from Southeast Missouri State University. He became the first student to earn a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Northern Iowa in 1983. After beginning his public school and college teaching career, he earned a Ph.D.

Dmitri Vorobiev first came to international attention after winning the Casagrande International Piano Competition in Italy in 1994, followed by performances at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto and numerous recitals throughout Italy. Mr. Vorobiev has been a major prize-winner in the Busoni, Cincinnati World, Ibla Grand Prize, A.M.A.

Robert Washut is Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies from 1980-2002. An accomplished jazz composer and arranger, Washut has received numerous commissions from collegiate and high school jazz ensembles, professional jazz artists, and symphony orchestras. Many of his works are published by Kendor Music (Delevan, NY), UNC Jazz Press (Greeley,CO), Walrus Music Publishing/ejazzlines (Saratoga Springs, NY), C.L.

John Len Wiles is Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting at UNI where he conducts Concert Chorale, Cantorei, and the Varsity Men's Glee Club. In addition, he teaches graduate students in choral conducting and choral literature and serves as the Artistic Director of the Northern Iowa Bach Cantata Series and vox peregrini.

Anthony Williams currently serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Northern Iowa where he teaches applied trombone, trombone choir, jazz trombone ensemble, low brass techniques, and trombone literature. His previous teaching appointments include the University of Mary (ND), University of Memphis, and Lemoyne-Owen College. An active clinician, he has worked with middle school, high school, and college students in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Dr.

Ross Monroe Winter is currently serving at Instructor of Violin at the University of Northern Iowa. His career spans multiple genres in the orchestral, chamber music, and solo fields as well as work in film and television. Currently he is a member of the Richmond Symphony (VA) and the IRIS Orchestra in Tennessee, and is an alternate with the National and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. He has previously been a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Boston Philharmonic, and has performed with the New Jersey and Alabama Symphony Orchestras among others.